ARDD’s team receives training in ‘Media Code of Conduct on Human Rights’

31 October 2018

ARDD

ARDD’s team had the pleasure on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, to benefit from a training session on the code of conduct for journalists and media personnel on human rights, developed and presented by the organization Journalists for Human Rights (JHR).

JHR trainer and long-time journalist on issues of human rights Mohammed Shamma discussed with ARDD lawyers and team members the intersections that occur between media and civil society institutions like ARDD in dealing with cases of refugees and other vulnerable groups, the many red lines each party should abide to when dealing with victims of human rights violations, and how the media and civil society protection institutions can work together to uphold human dignity while shedding light on human rights violations and providing transparent information to the public.

Shamma said that many reporters unknowingly commit human rights violations themselves in their attempt to cover stories of victims, and stressed the importance of abiding by the code of conduct and putting the victim’s rights first during their reporting.

The journalist also stressed the importance of cooperation between media institutions and legal experts in the humanitarian field, to contribute an accurate legal context to the media, and help establish accurate statistical data from their experience in handling cases, that can be used by the media to shed light on the scale of human rights situation.

JHR is an international media development organization based in Toronto, Canada, with a mission to "empower journalists to cover human rights stories objectively and effectively", according to their website. The organization's vision is for everybody in the world to be aware of their rights. JHR believes that, "Creating rights awareness is the first and most necessary step to ending rights abuses. By mobilizing the media to spread human rights awareness, JHR informs people about human rights, empowering marginalized communities to stand up, speak out and protect themselves".

ARDD is grateful for Shamma and JHR for their valuable efforts in protecting human rights, and hopes to forge stronger partnerships with media, to consolidate its continuous efforts to offer protection for the vulnerable with public support and spreading awareness, which are key to ending all human rights violations.